About Contact ALRC inquiries Making submissions ... 2002 media Media release Australian Law Reform Commission/Australian Health Ethics Committee Wednesday, 28 August 2002 Human genetics revolution - safeguards require major upgrade The revolution in genetic science means that Australia now requires a careful mix of strategies - stronger ethical oversight, stiffer regulations, industry codes, education campaigns, an independent expert advisory body, revised privacy and discrimination laws, and perhaps even new criminal laws - to ensure human genetic information is well protected and intelligently used. After 18 months of investigation and wide public consultation, the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) and the Australian Health Ethics Committee (AHEC) of the National Health and Medical Research Council have today released ALRC Discussion Paper 66, containing 105 proposals and 40 further questions, together with extensive supporting research and commentary. ALRC President Professor David Weisbrot said rapid advances in genetic science mean these issues now impact on every Australian. "Today a person's DNA can be used for identification, to test for illness, and to help predict that person's future health and well-being. Your DNA can talk about you, your family and your community, so the implications of this are almost endless," he said. "We hear about using DNA for health and medical research, and for law enforcement. However, we also need to consider the activities of insurance companies, employers, sporting associations, government authorities, and in the courts." | |
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